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I have had some much fun putting together this blogging photography series for everyone. Today we are putting it all together and talking about how to shoot in manual mode exclusively. If you have not already viewed my other photography tutorials, I insist you start there otherwise, this may not make sense. If you only have time for one, start by reading how to achieve that blurry background in your pictures HERE. You can also click this blogging freebies tab HERE for the complete tutorials list. Remember, I am completely self taught. If I can do this; so can you.

I think the biggest help for me when it came to manual settings, was really just trying to figure out how to play around with all three of the setting. Tweaking them in order to capture that perfect lighting, the crisp shot and allowing the natural colors in the photo to come through, without having to increase the ISO too much. Obviously, shooting outside allows that to happen. A cloudy or overcast day is the best, no shadows or overblown colors to deal with. So I thought I would show you some of my recent shots and what my camera was set at. That way you have a starting point or idea how what to set your manual setting at. Sound good? Okay let’s do this.

First, I do want to mention I use this camera with this lens. Highly debating upgrading to this full frame body. (I’m thinking of selling my current setup, if you are interested email me). I have not edited any of these pictures (besides cropping on some) so you can see what they really look like.

Now look at the difference here. I think I should have increased the shutter speed more, these look slightly “blown” to me. If the shutter speed had been increased, the colors would have been a little richer. Also, I was battling between the shade and then direct sun. I think these shots in the same location don’t look as good. Notice the difference in my settings. My F-stop was up higher and the background is more in focus and not blurred like the ones above.

(Shutter Speed 1/250, F-stop 6.3, ISO 200)

The sun was at a different angle and look how the mood of this picture changes.

(Shutter speed 1/1600 sec, F-stop 3.5, ISO 100)

Outside, sun out but using the building to not compete with direct sunlight.

Outside, cloudy, wanted the very blurry background due to the composition of the long row of bushes. Make sure when your f-stop is that low, the person shooting you tries to get the red dot focused on you. Otherwise, your camera may focus on something in the background like the tree branch which will be in focus and you will be blurry. We had a few like that, until some helpful suggestions…..

For those flower connoisseurs out there. I actually took this with my Olympus Pen Camera. My Dad is the President of the Sarasota Orchid Society. Yes, as you can see where I learn my Type A need to overachieve comes from. Well it’s pretty much from both but see, can’t be just the student. Either have to be the teacher or the president.

(Shutter speed 1/200, F-stop 8, ISO 200)

Let’s show a few inside now. I had to slow down the shutter speed (make sure you have a steady hand to prevent blur/shaking) and the ISO has to be increased. It adds “noise” but at least it’s better than adding a flash.

(Shutter speed 1/60 sec, F-stop 2.8, ISO 1600)

(Shutter speed 1/100, F-stop 3.5 and ISO 800)

This is my recent favorite shot. The only editing I did was add a tiny bit of saturation to make the pink pop. I love the composition with the straight lines of the sky, the beach line and the strap of the top.

(Shutter speed 1/1600 sec, F-stop 3.5, ISO 100)

So there you go! How to shoot in manual mode. We are putting it all together to take the best pictures possible for your blog or daily love for shooting photography. Have you been practicing? What do you find the most trouble with when you shoot in manual mode? I hope these tutorials have been helpful. If you like them, I would appreciate if you would like on Bloglovin or pin for future reference. My next tutorial I have planned for you is about shooting with different lens and how it creates different looks for your pictures. What would you like me to cover on the next installment of these photography tutorials? Make sure to check out my Blogging Freebies tab for more tutorials and blog how-to’s.

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So you are going to go with the full frame camera? Do what makes you happy girl :)

I am going to confess – I’m not a huge fan of Manual mode – only because things happens so fast in sessions / weddings that I dont have time to adjust settings for each picture. So I love the Aperture mode for most things & I just know I can correct about 95% of things with photoshop shooting in RAW. Maybe that’s lazy – but I find its better for me to make sure I capture the shot & then just tweak for better exposure/coloring.

But its always good to know your camera & see how it all works together.

I really need to relearn manual mode! I knew what everything meant at one time back in college when I took a class. Now I can’t remember and mostly shoot in auto. These are great tips and I love your shots! I’m eager to see what you say about when to use which lens. I’m always wondering which lens I should take on vacation!

This is so great!! I need to sit down and work on my photog skills and shooting in manual. I have a nice camera that I never take advantage of because I never have time to practice! Such great pics and obsessed with your cover ups! Xo

This is an awesome post! Now that the weather is getting nicer here, I can’t wait to get outside and practice with my camera more. I tried in the winter, but was too cold to take my gloves off to use the camera, lol!

As I’m about to invest in a DSLR I’m so excited to revisit all these posts! I love this series because you tell us, as bloggers, how to use our cameras. Photography books and classes go into things I don’t care about!